Ski binding



Oct. 13, 1953 v. v. KUTSCHERA SKI BINDING w 1 an m a M% .w m mx fl r q.mw /M A m K m e s w 4 c m V ll'lllllll lllbll w Filed May 6, 19 9 Oct.13, 1953 v. v. KUTSCHERA 2,655,386

SKI BINDING Filed May 6, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. V/GO V/croeKuTscHsEn Byf flrTO/P/VEY dli i Get. 13, 1953 v. v. KUTSCHERA SKIBINDING 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 6, 1949 IN VEN TOR. V/60 WcmeKUTSCHERH ml and a w HTTOg/VEY Oct. 13, 1953 v. v. KUTSCHERA 2, ,3

SKI BINDING Filed May 6, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. V/s0 V/croeAurscflE/m H TTOENE Y Patented Oct. 13, 1953 2,655,386 SKI BINDING VigoVictor Kutschera, Spillmacheen, British Columbia, Canada Application May6, 1949, Serial No. 91,675 V This invention relates to ski-bindings andhas as one of its principal objects to reduce the hazards involved inthe more venturesome forms of skiing, and, a an incident thereto,affording facility in operation of the bindings and minimizing themuscular demand in skiing. Another object is to provide a binding whichis readily adaptable for both cross-country and down hill skiing. Otherobjects are dependability in operation, strength and durability of theparts, the inspiring of confidence in the wearer and facilitating theacquisition of skiing technique.

One of the characteristics of the present invention is the fact that thetoe fastening and the heel fastening means are entirely independent ofeach other, with the result that the heel attachment may be disconnectedduring idling or cross-country skiing without in anywise affecting thesecurity of the toe fastening means, and when a situation is reachedwhere down hill skiing is to be employed and it is desirable to have theski more completely attached to the shoe so that for ordinary stressesthe shoe and the ski are in effect a unit, the heel fastenin means maybe readily attached.

Another and important characteristic of the heel attachment is the factthat the heel tension is directly down upon the ski, or is 90' vertical,as it is known in ski parlance. This fact considerably augments thefeeling of security and confldence on the part of the wearer and withinoperating limits effects relative immobility between the ski and shoeunder ordinary stresses. Also the strain upon the leg muscles is thubrought within a minimum compass in down hill skiing.

Anotherfeature of the invention is the fact that the fasteningspermit acertain degree of lateral rotative play of the ski, thereby relievingthe leg muscles of minor twisting effects, but they restore the ski toits proper relative position, the fastenings being self-alining andtherefore operating to maintain the ski generally in axial alinementwith the shoe.

Other features of the invention reside in spe-' cial improved heel plateconstructions and in other details, all of which will appear inconnectlon with the description of illustrated embodiments of theinvention.

The heel fastening means are such that they automatically release if thetoe escapes from its fastenings, thus minimizing the likelihood ofinjury. Specifically the invention contemplates a spur and chainattachment, the chain having a 90 down pull on a spur on the shoe heel.Spring means, which may be recessed in the ski 3 Claims. (Cl. 280-1135)or may be external of the ski, apply a snubbing pull upon the chain whenthe heel is on the heel plate, to hold the spur hooked into the chain solong as the toe is in its fastening, but allowing ready escape of theheel attachment if the toe is released, and offering greatly increased.pull if the heel leaves the heel plate. As will be later. explained, thespring means may be of the coiled, telescopic leaf spring type or of thedouble coiled spring type with the weak or snubbing spring containedwithin and somewhat longer than the strong or power spring.

The spur extends rearwardly of the heel and is preferably containedwithin a recess in the removable heel, extending radially therefrom andpivoting at its inner end so that the exposed end has a limited lateralplay, thus to accommodate itself to the lateral movement of the ski.

The invention also contemplates a special heel plate construction inwhich the angle of the sup porting plate for the heel is variable abouta horizontal axis at its front end, thus determining the normal forwardattitude according to the preferences of the skier.

Other features of the invention will appear from the followingparticular description of the constructions illustrated in the drawingsin which Fig. 1 is aside elevation of a fragment of a ski and of abinding embodying the invention, showing a shoe secured in the binding.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the same with the shoe removed, as indicated by theline 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the heel fastening portionof the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, as indicated by line 3-4 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 isa transverse section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section on line 5-5 of Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the heel as indicated by line 6-6 ofFig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan of the rear portion of the heel plate ofFig. 3 as indicated by line 1'! of that figure.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation, partly in section, of

the heel supporting section of a ski and of a modified form of heelplate and of heel tension means.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

V Fig. 10 is a plan with parts broken away of the heel plateconstruction of Fig. 8 with a fragmentary part of the ski indicated.

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 8 with the shoeremoved, the tension means relaxed and the hinged heel plate partlyopen.

Fig. 12 is a, longitudinal sectional elevation of a modified form ofheel plate construction.

Fig. 13 is a plan of the same.

Fig. 14 is a transverse section on the line l4--l4 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a perspective of some of the parts of Figs. 12, 13 and 14.

In Figs. 1 and 2 there are shown all the elements of a heel-bindingembodying the invention. Heel fastening means, one of which is indicatedgenerally by the numeral 3 in Figs. 1 and 2 are shown in alternativeforms on sheets 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings. In whatever form embodied,it will be seen that the heel tension is at right angles to the plane ofthe ski or is 90 vertical. In other words, the heel tension has noforward component, as do many conventional forms of heel bindings whichfunction incidentally to urge the shoe forward and hold the toe in thecustomary toe strap.

A roller link chain under tension is guided so as to effect a pullstraight down toward the ski 5, that is at 90 to its plane, andconsidering the plane of the ski as horizontal, the pull is verticallydown.

To attach the chain to the heel of the shoe, the heel is provided with arearwardly projecting spur. An example of such a spur is shown in Figs.3 and 6. A heel member 43 of leather or plastic or other composition isremovably attached to the shoe sole by screws 44, and in its upper faceis provided with a rearwardly open recess 45 that is enlarged andcircular at its inner end with the sides of its rearward. extensionflaring out. A spur 46 fits in this recess. It has a, head of propersize which is secured by a screw to the shoe sole and a rearwardlyextending arm with a projection of reduced size outside the heel shapedto catch into the chain between two rollers. The spur can rotate in therounded part of the recess as a bearing as far as the flaring sides ofthe rearward extension of the recess 45 will permit, thus accommodatingthe attachment to the lateral play of the ski and relieving the legmuscles of strain from that cause.

The chain which has a downward tension applied to it, comes up through ahole in the heel plate directly underneath the spur when the shoe isdisposed on the heel and toe plates with the toe in its fastener. Theform of heel plate and tensioning means shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and isknown as the recessed or mortised type and will now be described.

The top of the ski underneath the heel plate construction islongitudinally recessed. The front and major portion 4'! of the recessis relatively large and deep to receive the spring means, and iscontinued rearwardly in a narrower and shallower recess portion 48 forthe accommodation of the chain.

The recess 41 is covered for the greater portion at its forward end by aplate 49, attached by screws to the ski and having down turnedlongitudinal edge flanges so that the plate is raised somewhat from theface of the ski. If desired, internal sealing strips 50a may be providedalong the inner sides of the flanges. At the rear end of the plate 49,the flanges are discontinued and the plate is somewhat narrower andconstitutes a guide tongue for the adjustable heel plate, as willappear.

The recess 48 and the rear portion of the recess 4'! are covered by aplate which is secured in contact with the face of the ski by screws 5|and has its longitudinal edges turned up and flanged outward to provideguides for the adjustable heel plate in the plane of the tongueextension of the plate 49. In the construction shown the plates 49 and50 do not quite meet, although obviously they may do so if desired.

The heel plate 52 slides on the flanges of plate 50 and on the tongue ofplate 49 as guides, to adjust it to shoe size, and is locked in adjustedposition to the plate 50, as by a screw. This heel plate for thispurpose has its sides flanged downward with the extreme edges of theflanges turned inward, and is of the proper size to fit upon its guides.The space between it and the ski may be closed at the rear end by a downturned flange, as shown.

The plate 50 is provided on its upper face with a series of internallyscrew threaded bosses 53, and a screw 54 engages in one of these bossesand secures the heel plate 52 in adjusted position. Directly at the rearof the heel position on the plate 52, this plate is provided with anopening or a hole 55 through which the chain is threaded. This opening55 is therefore always directlyundcrneath the projecting end of the spur46, irrespective of the adjusted position of the heel plate.

Disposed in the larger recess 41 is the spring device. This spring maytake any one of several forms and two forms will be shown and described.In any event, it should operate first to exert a relatively weak,snubbing tension on the chain to maintain the engagement between thespur and chain so long as the heel remains in contact with the heelplate, and to exert a considerably stronger tension as the heel tends toleave the ski, although resiliently permitting such separation.

The form of spring shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is a well known type of coiledleaf spring 56. Such a spring is formed by coiling up two taperingbranches of an original flat, sheet spring material, so that the springis largest at the center and tapers toward each end, the successivecoils telescoping. This makes a closed coil spring and excludes snow andice. The initial spring action is relatively weak and increases instrength as the spring is compressed. As shown, the size of the springis such that it is accommodated in the recess 41 but cannot enter recess48, hearing against the adjacent end of recess 41 when pulled towardrecess 48.

A roller chain 51 of conventional roller and link construction is passedthrough the spring 56 and has a, washer 58 secured by a cotter pin toits forward end of a size to bear against the forward end of the spring.The chain lies in the recess 48 and passes up through opening 55 and isprovided with a hand grip 59 on its outer end.

The operation of this heel attachment and tension means is thought to beapparent. When the skier is traveling over level country, for example,he may prefer to have his heels detached from the skis. But when, forexample, he comes to a down hill run, he may find it preferable to havethe heel as well as the toe attached to the ski. All that he has to dois to reach down and grasp the handle 59 and pull the chain up until itis under sufficient tension, and then hook it on to the spur 46. Therotative movement of the spur will allow it to follow the side play ofthe ski relative to the heel, and the spring will allow the heel to getoff the heel plate, though resisting it with increasing resilient forceas the sep- 5. antlonincreases and restoring. the contact when thestress that caused the'separation is elimi-. nated. When. need forattachment of the heel ceases; it is a. simplematter to unhookx. thechain from the spur. It lSJ also. evident that if an entraordinarycondition has caused the toe to escape: from the welt springs, the'spurwill simultancously unhook from the chain. and release the heel. Thehazards of skiing, involving the possibility of bone fractures, are:thus substantially reduced Ate-previously stated, the spring means,instead of being: recessed into the ski, may be externally disposed, andsuch an arrangement is shown in Figs. 8 to it, inclusive, which at the:same time show an alternative form of spring construction.

In these figures there is also shown a modified form of heel plateconstruction. This is known as the hinged heel plate, as distinguishedfrom the sll'dable heel plate above described. It will be obvious, ofcourse, that the showing of the particular form of heel plate with theparticular form of spring construction is incidental, since either formof spring construction can be recessed or external and can be used withany illustrated type of heel plate construction.

The heel plate construction of these figures consists of a bottom plate60 that is secured by screws 6| on top of the ski, and heel plate 52hinged at its front edge to the bottom plate and flanged to fit upon andcover the bottom plate. In its. closed position the heel plate issecured to the bottom plate by screws 63 that screw into houses on thebottom plate. Provision is made for axial adjustment of the heel plateassembly. As shown, a series of screw sockets are provided in theskifor. the rear screws 6! and the plate 60 is slotted for reception of theforward screws 6 t.

The heel plate 62 is provided with an opening 55 for the reception ofthe chain, as is heel plate 52, and the bottom plate 60 has an axialchain receiving slot 64 in its rear end, the fi-ange of the heel platebeing cut away in register with this slot. c i

The spring construction in this case is a dual spring unit, consistingof two coaxial coiled springs, an inner snubbing spring 65 containedwithin a somewhat shorter power spring 86. The two springs are shown asreversely wound, the inner spring being of smaller spring ire andconsiderably weaker than the outer spring. A roller link chain 61 passesthrough the inner spring 55 and is guided through the slot 64 and isthreaded up through the opening 55. In the illustrated construction thespring end of the chain is attached to a bolt 68 on the rear end ofwhich a washer 69 is secured between two nuts and is of a size to bearagainst the end of the outer spring 66. The chain is shown as continuedon around with its other end connected to the rear end of the boltbeyond the washer, though it is optional whether the chain be thus madecontinuous or it be interrupted and a handle be provided correspondingto handle 59. If it be continuous, one of the roller bearings should bepro vided with a screw bearing and nut, as shown, instead of beingriveted so that the chain may be opened up to thread through opening 55.

A ferrule 10, of plastic or other suitable material, surrounds the chainjust in advance of the spring 65 and provides a compression bearing forthe springs as it is pulled against the rear edge n H An) 5. orthe heelplate tocouple the heel tension means. Also, to prevent the springtension unit: from flopping around, a surrounding stay ring or collar Hmay beprovided which is screwed or otherwise attached to the ski.

To operate this form of heel plate and heel tension device, the skierfirst adjusts the heel plate to his shoe size, and if. he desires toemploy the heel attachment, he grasps the chain 61 and pulls upon it,thereby compressing the snubbing spring, until the power springengagestheferrule Ill, The: chain which is thus placed under snubbingtension, is then hooked on to the spur and the action is the same asthat previously described with reference to the recessed construction.

Figs. 12 to 15, inclusive, show a modified form or heel plateconstruction, known as the wedge heel plate, which maybe used witheither of the spring tensioning meansheretofore described. In this casethe external construction of chain and spring is assumed. Also it is tobe noted that anti-friction means are represented to guide the chainthrough the hole in the heel plate.

It will be noted, for example, that the opening is generally of H-shape,so as to provide a bearing both for the rollers and the side. links. Inthe construction of Figs. 12 and 13, the heel plate which is about to bedescribed has, instead of the opening 55, a slot it open at the rear, inwhich there is secured by screws 13 a roller construction consisting ofbrackets 14 formingbearings for rollers 15 disposed underneath the heelplate and spaced apart to provide a chain receiving opening 16. Theserollers have enlarged diameters at their middle portions to providebearings for the chain rollers while the links ride on the smaller endportions of the rollers. Obviously these anti-friction guide means forthe chain may be used with any of the types of heel plates shown in thedrawings.

A characteristic of this wedge type of heel plate is the fact that itcan be tilted up at more or less of an angle to the plane of the skiabout a transverse axis. customarily heel plates are pitched up at aslight angle so as to cause the skier normally to lean forward which isa desirable attitude for many forms of skiing. However, the desirabledegree at which the skier normally leans forward may vary with the skierand with the nature of the skiing. Hence for some purposes it may bedesirable to change that angle.

In the construction of Figs. 12 to 15, inclusive, the angle of the heelplate may be adjusted within a range, say, of 6 to 12. The bottom platein this construction consists of two hinged plates,

a front plate ll which is secured to the ski by screws 18 which passthrough elongated slots to permit of longitudinal adjustment for shoesize; and a rear plate 19 which is hinged to the front plate by hingeand is secured to the ski by screws 8| which also pass through elongatedslots to permit of adjustment.

Back of the hinge the ski is recessed, the recess comprising a frontrelatively wide portion 82 and a rear relatively narrow extension 83 forthe accommodation of the chain. The main recess 82 is underneath theplate 19 for the ac-- commodation of parts underneath the plate, as willappear, being long enough to permit of the longitudinal adjustment.

Also hinged on the hinge 80 so as to overlie the fixed bottom plate 19,is the heel plate 84 which, as above explained, has the open slot 12 7at its rear edge and carries the anti-friction rollers 15.

The angle of the heel plate 84 is determined by the coaction between ascrew stud 85 carried by the bottom plate 19, and a screw cap 86 that iscarried by the heel plate 84 and engages the stud 85. The head of thescrew cap is countersunk in the heel plate so as to be flush therewith,the head bearing on the outer side of the plate, while a bearing ring 81is screwed on to the shank of the cap which is externally screw threadedfor the purpose, and bears on the underside of the heel plate.

The screw stud 85 is so carried by the bottom plate 19 that it canmaintain its axis normal to the plane of the heel plate and hencecoincident with the axis of the screw cap 86 in all adjusted positionsof the heel plate. For this purpose, the bottom plate 19 has a circularopening 88 and two depending lugs 89 in which bears a transverse swivelpin 90 underneath the plate 19 and within the recess 82. The screw stud85 extends with its lower end through the opening 88 and swivels on thepin 98. The shank of the cap 86 is a hollow cylinder which is internallyscrew threaded and screws on to the stud 85, and consequently the screwcap travels up and down as it is turned on the stud and so adjusts theangle of the plate 84. The opening 88 is large enough to accommodate thelower end of the shank of cap 86, as is necessary in order to give theshank suflicient bearing on the stud. The ring 81 may be made shortenough to avoid interference with plate 19. Due to the fact thatconsiderable of the plate 19 is cut away, it may be desirable to make itthicker or wider than the other plates to afford sufiicient strength.

It will be understood, of course, that the particular constructionsshown in the drawings and above described are illustrative, and whilethey represent present preferred constructions, the invention may wellbe otherwise embodied without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a ski having toe fastening means and having anaxial open top recess of one width back of the toe fastening means and arearward continuation of the recess of lesser width, a coiled springdisposed in the wider recess, a roller link chain laid in the narrowerrecess and passing through the spring and having engagement with itsforward end, guide plates covering the recesses, a heel plate adjustableon the guide plates and means to secure it in adjusted position, theheel plate having a hole in its rear portion through which the chain ispassed, and a handle on the outer end of the chain.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 in which the coiled spring is aspirally wound leaf spring with the spirals telescoping andprogressively diminishing in size from the middle to each end, thediameter of the end spirals exceeding the width of the narrower recess.

3. A ski-binding comprising in combination with a ski having an open toprecess, a heel plate secured on the ski and covering the recess andhaving a hole near its rear end, a coiled spring disposed in the recessand having its rear end fixed against rearward axial movement, a rollerlink chain passing through the spring and secured thereto at its frontend and passing upward through the hole in the heel plate and adapted tocatch with its links external of the recess on to a spur on the rear ofa heel on the plate.

VIGO VICTOR KUTSCHERA.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,983,226 Gretsch Dec. 4, 1934 2,100,666 Muller Nov. 30, 19372,152,181 Elli0tt Mar. 28, 1939 2,259,831 Pflugmann Oct. 21, 19412,433,161 Schwarze Dec. 23, 1947 2,438,623 Stanimir Mar. 30, 19482,441,113 Kinzl May 4, 1948 2,472,906 Kjellstrom June 14, 1949 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 76,793 Austria June 10, 1919 169,738Switzerland Sept. 1, 1934 188,355 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1937 191,873Switzerland Sept. 16, 1937 227,994 Switzerland Oct. 1, 1943 366,241Italy Dec. 22, 1938 648,702 Germany Aug. 6, 1937

